Q: Why should I give to the Archimedes Alliance instead of just one of the charities?A: The Archimedes Alliance is set up to receive small donations of two dollars or more, without sacrificing a significant percentage to administrative costs. The Archimedes Alliance will leverage these small donations to make a large impact.

Q: How do I know I can trust your organization?A: All contributions are processed by the Charitable Partnership Fund. The Charitable Partnership Fund (CPF) is a 501(c)(3) public benefit organization incorporated in 1999. Its mission is to increase philanthropic activity. It does this through three basic programs: transaction services for non-profits; incubating and housing new ideas, services and projects for non-profit outreach by individuals and organizations; and social benefit investing to leverage altruistic and charitable dollars for human good (e.g. decreasing poverty or increasing education). The Archimedes Alliance is a project of the CPF and governed by the Archimedes Alliance committee. http://www.cpfgives.org/

Q: Can I give more than two dollars?A: Absolutely. Two dollars is the minimum; larger donations are always acceptable.

Q: Can I give less than two dollars?A: No.

Q: Can I give monthly donations?A: Yes. The Archimedes Alliance is set up to process recurring donations.

Q: Is my donation tax-deductible?A: To control costs, there will be no IRS deduction reporting made to donors contributing less than $10 or combined donations of less than $100 annually. For those making recurring gifts through a bank account debit process, an email confirming a donation to the Charitable Partnership Fund for the Archimedes Alliance project will be sent to those supplying an email address.

Q: How much of the money raised goes to charity?A: The combined cost for transactions and other costs associated with the web site are estimated to be about 5% of the amount raised, depending upon how much is raised. This means that 95% of what is raised will go to organizations supported by the Archimedes Alliance project.

Q: Do you accept suggestions? A: Yes. See “Contact Us.”

Q: Will you stop if you don’t reach 1 million people by your deadline?A: No. 1 million people is a goal, not a set amount. If more people donate, fantastic; if fewer people donate, all the money raised will be provided to the selected organization.

Q: How do you choose the charities.A: The criteria for choosing charities are as follows:

The organizations must focus primarily on helping human beings rather than causes. For example, rather than trying to find a cure for cancer they will help people suffering from cancer live better lives.

The organizations should not have a significant primary source of income or single funder, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This ensures that the funds raised will have a measurable and immediate impact on an organization that doesn’t have the benefit of powerful backers.

The Alliance will favor organizations that give 80% or more of the money they raise to their target population rather than paying large overheads, salaries or administrative expenses.

The Alliance will not fund organizations whose principal mission is religious, although religious affiliation does not disqualify an organization.